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Lunar Module LM-2

Apollo Lunar Module number 2 on display in the Lunar Exploration Vehicles gallery at the Museum in Washington, DC.

Building the Lunar Module

Most of the Apollo hardware was built in the South or the West of the United States, but the Lunar Modules were built by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, in Bethpage, Long Island, New York.

Grumman Technicians Working on the Lunar Module

Grumman technicians built the Lunar Module. Grumman was a chief supplier of aircraft for the U.S. Navy. As such, it was accustomed to designing craft that could withstand the hard landings on an aircraft carrier. That experience probably served Grumman well as they designed the Lunar Lander, intended to be sturdy enough to land on the Moon’s surface.

Lunar Module 2 (LM-2)

LM 2 was built for a second unmanned Earth-orbit test flight. Because the test flight of LM 1, named Apollo 5, was so successful, a second mission was deemed unnecessary.

LM-2 Detail

A detail of the Lunar Module 2.

Lunar Module 2 Restoration

The Lunar Module 2 is being restored in full view of the public at the National Air and Space Museum's Mall building June 22-24. Museum specialists, volunteers and curators and Paul Fjeld, an expert on authentic restorations of the Mylar coverings, are working to get the LM2 ready for its moment in the spotlight during the Apollo anniversary events in July.

Lunar Module Restoration

The Lunar Module 2 is being restored in full view of the public at the National Air and Space Museum's Mall building June 22-24. In this view from above, Paul Fjeld, an expert on authentic restorations of the Mylar coverings, can be seen working on the LM2.

Lunar Module Restoration

Tourists snap photos of the team restoring the Lunar Module 2. The Lunar Module 2 is being restored in full view of the public at the National Air and Space Museum's Mall building June 22-24. Museum specialists, volunteers and curators and Paul Fjeld, an expert on authentic restorations of the Mylar coverings, are working to get the LM2 ready for its moment in the spotlight during the Apollo anniversary events in July.

Lunar Module Restoration

Museum intern Bethany Day shows a visitor a piece of the foil that will be replaced on the Lunar Module 2.

The LM2 is being restored in full view of the public at the National Air and Space Museum's Mall building June 22-24. Museum specialists, volunteers and curators and Paul Fjeld, an expert on authentic restorations of the Mylar coverings, are working to get the LM2 ready for its moment in the spotlight during the Apollo anniversary events in July 2009.

Lunar Module Restoration Auxiliary Antenna

Volunteer Dave Gianakos and Division of Space History curator Allan Needel hold an auxiliary antenna found inside the Lunar Module (LM2) as restoration work was being performed. The antenna has been on the LM2 for nearly 40 years.

Lunar Module Restoration From Above

View of Lunar Module 2 (LM2) restoration from second floor balcony. The Lunar Module 2 is on display at the National Mall Building in downtown Washington, DC.

Lunar Module Restoration

Gar Schulin, left, and Dave Gianakos lend a hand to the LM-2 restoration.

Lunar Module Panorama

Lunar Module 2 Disassembly and Move

The Lunar Module 2 will be a part of the newly renovated exhibition scheduled to open in the summer of 2016. In the meantime, it will undergo conservation.

Lunar Module 2 MESA

Lunar module expert Paul Fjeld shares details of the MESA—Modularized Equipment Stowage Assembly—on the Lunar Module (LM-2) at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

Lunar Module #2, Apollo

This lunar module represents one of humanity’s greatest achievements: landing people on another heavenly body.

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Collection Item Summary:

The Apollo Lunar Module (LM) was a two-stage vehicle designed by Grumman to ferry two astronauts from lunar orbit to the lunar surface and back. The upper ascent stage consisted of a pressurized crew compartment, equipment areas, and an ascent rocket engine. The lower descent stage had the landing gear and contained the descent rocket engine and lunar surface experiments.

LM 2 was built for a second unmanned Earth-orbit test flight. Because the test flight of LM 1, performed as part of the Apollo 5 mission, was so successful, a second unmanned LM test mission was deemed unnecessary. LM-2 was used for ground testing prior to the first successful Moon-landing mission. In 1970 the ascent stage of LM-2 spent several months on display at the "Expo '70" in Osaka, Japan. When it returned to the United States, it was reunited with its descent stage, modified to appear like the Apollo 11 Lunar Module "Eagle," and transferred to the Smithsonian for display.

Collection Item Long Description:

A Tense Lunar Landing

On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 LM prepared to land on the Moon, piloted by Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. During the landing the guidance computer overloaded, but the astronauts were told to proceed with the landing.

Lunar Orbit Rendezvous

President Kennedy challenged the United States to get to the Moon, and it was up to the staff of the Apollo Program to figure out how to do it. Three options were considered, with Lunar Orbit Rendezvous being the preferred method.